Machar told ‘not to stir up unnecessary dust’ for postponement of elections

JUBA – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has been told by its rival, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG), not to incite for extension of the transitional period.

This comes after the main armed opposition group said that the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement was lagging behind schedule as crucial provisions of the 2018 peace deal remains unimplemented.

This was because the SPLM under President Salva Kiir Mayardit was calling for conduct of elections at the end of the transitional period in 2023, but the SPLM-IO says should not be the case given the delays in the peace implementation.

In a statement on Monday, the SPLM party called on all other signatories to the revitalized peace agreement, SPLM-IO in particular, to be truthful in the implementation of the peace agreement.

“In conclusion, the SPLM would like to call up on all the parties signatory to R-ARCSS to remain true and committed to the peaceful conclusion of this peace agreement,” the SPLM statement reads in part.

“We have impressed up on our leadership to expedite and fast track the unification of forces and the implementation of other key components of the agreement so that we catch up with deadlines,” the statement added.

He further warned the parties against making rhetoric that may jeopardize the implementation of the agreement for the purpose of postponement of elections at the end of the transitional period.

“Let us not stir up unnecessary dust to necessitate extensions to the interim period as some of our partners have been yearning for. Only elections will free us from these unnecessary entanglements,” the statement said.